238 THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF WORKING PLANS 



best be treated in separate manuals. This accounts for so little 

 space being given to the subject of working plans in that 

 Manual. The reference to the ' Working Plan Manual ' was 

 to a proposed manual on working plans more complete than 

 any previously attempted. It has not been practicable to under- 

 take the preparation of this manual up to the present time, so 

 that the latest word on instructions and procedures is really 

 that contained in the manual of 191 1." * 



There follows, in somewhat condensed form, the Forest 

 plans portion of The National Forest Manual of 191 1: 



FOREST PLANS 



The object of the forest plan is to systematize and control 

 the management of each forest upon a definite basis which shall 

 represent the cumulative experience and information which the 

 service has acquired. 



Three different kinds of plans, differing only in scope and 

 intensity, will be used in developing the management of the 

 respective forests, namely, preliminary plans, working plans, 

 and annual plans. 



A preliminary plan is simply a systematic statement, pre- 

 pared from the best information now available, of the resources 

 of the forest, the conditions governing their use and develop- 

 ment, and the administrative measures to be followed in their 

 management. 



A working plan is a similar statement, more complete and 

 final in character, based upon thorough investigation and accu- 

 rate data, and including a definite scheme of management 

 devised for a period of years. 



The annual plan is covered by the various periodic estimates 

 and reports. It constitutes a periodic revision of the prelim- 

 inary or working plan, together with the specific application of 

 these plans to the business of the forest for the ensuing year. 



* The author is indebted for this statement to Mr. R. Y. Stuart of the Forest 

 Servicft, in a personal letter dated April 17, 1916. 



